A tether satellite was carried with this launch called: Tether Physics
and Survivability (TiPS) This experiment consists of 2 small end-masses
connected by a 4 km nonconductuve braided tether (total mass: 53 kg). TiPS was
jettisoned from its "host vehicle" on 20 June. It is aimed to test the
survivability of the tether. The tether is predicted to have a mean life of 5
years before it is cut by orbital debris. The observed life of TiPS will help
understand and validate these theoretical predictions.